Protester Gypsy Taub speaks out against the Board of Supervisors decision to ban public nakedness while naked at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Protester Gypsy Taub speaks out against the Board of Supervisors...

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Protester Gypsy Taub is covered up by a San Francisco Sheriff after taking off her clothes at a Board of Supervisors meeting at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Protester Gypsy Taub is covered up by a San Francisco Sheriff after...

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Taylor Whitfield holds up a sign protesting the Board of Supervisors proposal to ban public nakedness at City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

Taylor Whitfield holds up a sign protesting the Board of...

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A naked protester sits on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. San Francisco lawmakers on Tuesday narrowly approved a proposal to ban public nakedness, rejecting arguments that the measure would eat away at a reputation for tolerance enjoyed by a city known for flouting convention and flaunting its counter-culture image. The 6-5 Board of Supervisors vote means that exposed genitals will be prohibited in most public places, including streets, sidewalks and public transit. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Photo: Jeff Chiu, Associated Press

A naked protester sits on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco,...

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The proposal to ban public nudity in San Francisco prompts protesters to disrobe Oct. 30 outside City Hall. The supervisors' 6-5 vote on the issue Tuesday inspired similar acts.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

The proposal to ban public nudity in San Francisco prompts...

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Ocean, from the East Bay, sits without clothes on across from City Hall as he and other demonstrators protest Supervisor Scott Weiner's proposal to restrict public nudity in the city on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Ocean, from the East Bay, sits without clothes on across from City...

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Eric Anderson, enjoys a cold beverage and a sandwich while in the nude at a parklet at the corner of 17th street and Castro in San Francisco, Ca. , on Tuesday September 6, 2011.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Eric Anderson, enjoys a cold beverage and a sandwich while in the...

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During a public hearing for legislation proposed by Supervisor Scott Wiener that would ban nudity on public streets, Gypsy Taub takes her clothes off during the public comment session of the hearing in San Francisco City Hall on Monday Nov. 5, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Mike Kepka, The Chronicle

During a public hearing for legislation proposed by Supervisor...

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During a public hearing for legislation proposed by Supervisor Scott Wiener that would ban nudity on public streets, Gypsy Taub controlled by San Francisco County Sheriff's deputies outside the hearing after taking her clothes off during the public comment session of the hearing in San Francisco City Hall on Monday Nov. 5, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Undressing in public will likely no longer go unpunished in San Francisco, as the Board of Supervisors voted by the barest of margins Tuesday to ban public nudity.

Derided by nudity defenders as an attack on personal expression and supported by others who've had enough of seeing those who let it all hang out, the legislation bans genital exposure on all city sidewalks, plazas, parklets, streets and public transit.

Wiener, the sponsor of the proposal, admits he was reluctant to take the step of banning public nudity, but that the issue has evolved beyond the presence of a few naked guys in the Castro and is a growing problem that generates more complaints from his constituents than homelessness or Muni.

"It's no longer a quirky part of San Francisco, it's seven days a week," said Wiener, who represents the Castro. "Many people in the neighborhoods are over it and want to take action."

Yet some supervisors argued that since the nudity problem was primarily contained to the Castro, a citywide ban wasn't needed.

"I question whether this rises to the level that it should be a priority," said Campos, who worried about police resources being diverted from violent crime to naked men and women.

Olague and Avalos said they were concerned about the restriction of personal freedom.

"Sometimes there's a little weirdness about how we express ourselves, but that's a great thing about San Francisco," Avalos said.

But Wiener said the slippery slope argument shouldn't apply.

"I don't agree that having yellow hair is the same as exposing your penis at a busy street corner for hours and hours," he said.

Some exemptions

The legislation exempts nudity at private beaches, private property and permitted special events - like Bay to Breakers or the Folsom Street Fair - and doesn't apply to children under 5 years old. Violators would be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second in a 12-month period. Convictions under the proposed law wouldn't result in a sex offense, but a third offense could bring a $500 fine or a misdemeanor.

Berkeley and San Jose have already banned public nudity, but the prospect of liberal San Francisco telling its residents to cover up drew national attention and several nude-ins at City Hall.

"I'm going to be happy when this is over," Wiener said in an interview. "It's important, it's a real issue, but it's never been the issue I've wanted to work on."

Clothes come off

However, the nudists aren't conceding defeat yet. While many in the pro-nudity camp stayed clothed during the vote, the clothes came off as soon as the measure passed.

About five men and women disrobed and were immediately escorted out of the chamber by San Francisco Sheriff's deputies, but no arrests were made.

As he pulled his pants up, a nudist named Stardust said the legislation sent the wrong message.

"It's telling people they should be ashamed to be naked, and that's totally wrong," he said.

And a lawsuit, which was filed last week, is pending. Attorney Christina DiEdoardo, who is representing several people opposed to the ban, said a federal judge could order an injunction to stop the law from taking effect during a hearing scheduled for Jan. 17.

DiEdoardo said the surprisingly close vote gave her hope that one supervisor could switch his or her vote before the second reading of the bill.

"We only need one person to change their mind," she said. "It's a completely unjustified restraint on free speech."